Book Review: Living Safely with Electromagnetic Radiation

by Alexis Costello
Source: Health Action, Fall 2010

What do insomnia, cancer, ­agitated birds, disappearing ­honeybees and dry dairy cows have in common? More than you might think.
 
According to Jim Waugh, author of, Living Safely with Electromagnetic ­Radiation: A Complete Guide for Protecting Your Health, these are all symptoms of the electromagnetic pollution we are all bombarded with on a daily basis.

Waugh explains the wide range of health complaints that are linked to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure. He quotes several studies that link EMR to cancer and brain tumours as well as a host of other symptoms. A few chapters into this well-researched and engaging read will probably result in a strong urge to unplug everything in your house, disconnect your cell phone and throw your laptop off a cliff. 

Parents need to be especially wary. Children are more susceptible to EMR frequencies than adults. Ironically, and sadly, children between the ages of eight and 12 are aggressively targeted with cell-phone advertising. Young people who spend more than one hour on a cell phone daily will suffer "significant and irreversible hearing damage by the time they reach young adulthood," according to Waugh's research. With an estimated 31 million young cell phone users in the US alone, there is serious cause for concern.

Most of us are becoming aware of the fact that wireless technologies are not good for us, despite the fact that the companies selling us such devices keep ­reassuring us that there are no conclusive links between their products and health problems. What was new and shocking to me in reading the book was the amount of influence the earth's natural geomagnetic energies can have on health and ­well-being.

As explained by Waugh, geomagnetic grid lines have apparently been well documented and studied for more than 50 years. He uses sketches of bed positions over grid lines borrowed from the article "Geopathic Stress," by Richard Creightmore (www.geomancygroup.org) as a ­visual example of how sleeping above these so-called hot spots can adversely ­affect the body.

So, what is a person to do? Waugh offers some practical advice for minimizing the amount of electromagnetic radiation we are exposed to. Appendix D in the back of the book has six pages of bullet points for making appliances, cell phones, computers, etc. less dangerous. Because we spend a large part of our lives sleeping, it is especially important to ensure that the bedroom is free from these stressors and that natural geomagnetic influence is considered.

There is a strong call to action in the book for consumers to make government and cell phone companies more accountable for their products, changing the limits of what is declared "safe." As Waugh points out, "The situation is ripe for betterment. You can join thousands of people around the world who have committed to forcing governments to listen. We are making progress. You will be in good company. Teach your children that green and sustainable includes electromagnetic safety. People around you will be moved by your conviction and energy.  Stick with it and don't give up."


Alexis Costello is a natural health ­practitioner, writer and self-proclaimed bookworm. Her health retreat and school, Happily ­Holistic Natural Health and Wellness, is located in ­Kelowna, BC. www.happyholistic.ca
 
 
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